Regional Airport On Life Support Status

TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) — The director of the Texarkana Regional Airport says its status as a commerical regional airport could be in danger.

Stephen Luebbert said in a Texarkana Gazette story published Monday (http://bit.ly/18gW5Xj ) that the airport faces a potential $88,000 shortfall. Since the airport is owned by Texarkana, Arkansas, and Texarkana, Texas, each city would need to kick in money. The shortfall includes an expected $44,000 drop in federal money.

Lubbert compared it to being on life-support and being asked to give blood. He said he fears the Federal Aviation Administration will downgrade the Texarkana from a commerical regional airport to a general aviation airport and harm future business and industrial development.